Optical trailer hitch locator

• US 20060044122A1
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Theodoros N. Dialinakis
• Original Assignee: Theodoros N. Dialinakis
• Inventors: Dialinakis, Theodoros N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,151,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/431
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A vision sensor mounted above a hitch ball attached to a vehicle detects a colored magnet mounted on a trailer hitch and transmits the visual signal to a processor mounted within the vehicle operated by a power source such as the vehicle'"'"'s 12 volt D.C. battery. The processor assimilates the sensor'"'"'s signal and indicates the location of the trailer hitch on a display screen mounted on the dashboard of the vehicle. As the vehicle driver backs his vehicle to place the trailer hitch signal on the ball signal, the actual ball on the vehicle ends up under the trailer hitch.

Claims

1. A trailer hitch locator system for coupling a towing vehicle ball to a trailer hitch, the system comprising:

the towing vehicle ball mounted on a bracket attached to the vehicle, the ball projecting outwardly from a rear bumper of the vehicle;

a vision sensor mounted to the vehicle above the ball and sending a signal outwardly from the ball;

a trailer hitch with a brightly colored device mounted on a forward surface;

a processor powered by a power source, the processor receiving incoming signals from the vision sensor and transmitting a visual signal to a display screen mounted within a driver'"'"'s space in the vehicle; and

the display screen showing indicia representing the ball and the trailer hitch, a distance of the ball to the trailer hitch and operational sites.

2. The trailer hitch locator system according to claim 1 wherein the brightly colored device mounted on the trailer hitch is a brightly colored magnet.

3. The trailer hitch locator system according to claim 1 wherein the brightly colored device mounted on the trailer is brightly colored sticker.

4. The trailer hitch locator system according to claim 1 wherein the ball indicia is in a fixed position on the display screen and the trailer hitch indicia moves as the vehicle moves in relation to the trailer hitch.

5. The trailer hitch locator system according to claim 1 wherein the operational sites on the display screen consists of a set circle, a reset circle and a color menu.

6. An apparatus for aligning a hitch ball mounted to a portion of a towing vehicle to a trailer hitch, the apparatus comprising:

a vision sensor mounted to the towing vehicle above the hitch ball;

a trailer hitch with a brightly colored device mounted on a forward surface adapted to receive a hitch ball;

a processor powered by a power source, the processor mounted within the towing vehicle, the processor receiving incoming signals from the vision sensor and transmitting a visual signal to a display screen mounted within a driver'"'"'s space in the vehicle; and

the display screen showing indicia representing the ball and the trailer hitch, so that when a driver backs the vehicle, the trailer hitch indicia moves with respect to the ball indicia to indicate the distance and angle of the ball from the trailer hitch.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the brightly colored device mounted on the trailer hitch is a magnet.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the brightly colored device mounted on the trailer hitch is a sticker.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the power source is a D.C. battery powering the processor.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the power source is a 12 volt vehicle battery powering the processor.

11. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the display screen additionally contains indicia for distance between the ball and the trailer hitch and operational sites.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the operational sites consist of a set circle, reset circle and color menu.

13. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the display screen is mounted on a dashboard of the towing vehicle.

14. A method of coupling a hitch ball mounted on a rear portion of a towing vehicle to a trailer hitch, the method comprising:

mounting a vision sensor in the vehicle above the hitch ball;

mounting a brightly colored device on a forward surface of the trailer hitch after first mounting the brightly colored device on the hitch ball and pressing a set circle on a display screen mounted within a cab of the towing vehicle;

pressing a reset circle on the display screen after mounting the brightly colored device on the trailer hitch;

providing a processor powered by a power source, the processor mounted within the towing vehicle and receiving signals from the vision sensor;

the processor sending a signal to the display screen to indicate a signal for a position of the trailer hitch with respect to a signal for the hitch ball;

a driver in the towing vehicle backing the towing vehicle to cause the position of the trailer hitch signal to coincide with the hitch ball signal so that the hitch ball is positioned under the trailer hitch.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the brightly colored device is provided as a magnet.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein the brightly colored device is provided as a sticker.

17. The method according to claim 14 wherein the display screen is mounted on a dashboard of the cab.

18. The method according to claim 14 wherein the processor power source is a battery providing power to the towing vehicle.